Written by Lin Donn

Illustrated by Phillip Martin

 The ancient Greeks would have
loved April Fool's Day. They so
adored being clever. It’s easy to
imagine the ancient Athenians
concocting their plots and chanting
their victories, and the ancient
Spartans rigging their barracks and
roaring with laughter.
A special day put aside just for
trickery, with everyone forewarned
that others were out to fool them
.... the challenge of it would have greatly appealed to the ancient
Greeks. But, they did NOT create this holiday.
The history of April Fool's Day only
goes back to the 16th century.

Legend says … April Fools Day

started with a change in the
calendar. The “new year”
celebration was moved from April
1st to Jan 1st.

Some people did not hear about

this change for many years. Other
ignored the change, and continued
to celebrate as they had always.
These people were called “fools”.

.
In the 1500’s, some people began
playing tricks on the “fools”. Over
time, April 1st became a day of
playing tricks, and a challenge – a
competition of sorts - to see who
could come up with the best prank.

Today, almost 500 years later, April

1st is still a day when tricks are
played on people in a spirit of fun.
Anyone who plays a mean trick is
just being mean. For the rest of us,
April Fool's Day is a challenging
game of trickery!
April Fools is celebrated in only
some countries in the world.

In France, April 1st is called

"Poisson d'Avril." French kids
play a special game on this day.

The object of the game is to

tape a paper fish on someone's
back without that person
noticing.

When the victim spots the fish

taped to their back, the kids yell
"Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!) 
In Belgium, Egyptologist,
Jacques Kinnaer, shared:
"The expression "April Fish",
in my region of the country
(in Belgium), not only
applies to the paper (or real)
fish being stuck to
someone's back, but to the tricks
played on that day in general.

If I played a prank on you on April 1st, the

expression would be (translated into English)
that I've baked you an April's Fish. Even the
media (press and radio) try to bake an April's
Fish by adding something untrue to the news.”
In Newfoundland, Bruce Lane, a Newfoundland nature and
wild life photographer and teacher, shared: "Yes we do
celebrate April Fool's Day in Newfoundland! The custom is
that until noon you can trick people with lies and
exaggerations.
For example, one morning a
local radio station reported
seeing a herd of seals far up
an inland river. They reported
the story several times until
noon when they informed
the audience it was an
April Fools trick!" 
In the United States,
April 1st is a day set
aside to play small,
clever tricks on people.
Placing salt in the sugar
bowl when no one is
looking is not a real
trick. Where's the
cleverness in that? (The
ancient Greeks would
have turned up their
noses at such a pathetic
attempt.)
 In the United States,
April 1st is a day set
aside to play small,
clever tricks on people.
Placing salt in the sugar
bowl when no one is
looking is not a real
trick. Where's the
cleverness in that? (The
ancient Greeks would
have turned up their
noses at such a pathetic
attempt.)

A real April Fool's trick takes thought, creativity, timing, and a bit
of acting.
There are rules to this game.

1. Your trick must be harmless.

2. Your victim must

believe you.

3. Your trickery must

make your victim at least
smile (or better yet,
laugh) when you shout "April
Fool's!" Otherwise, it does not
qualify as an April Fool's Day
trick.
Here are some links to help you enjoy April Fools.

April Fooled!

The Two Headed Dog

Taco Liberty Bell

Easy Computer Tricks You

Can Play on People

More April Fools Fun

Free Holiday Clipart

 …

This presentation is brought to you by

Pete’s Power Point Station.
Visit us on the web at pppst.com